VR Hand Exercises: Impact on Cognition and Dexterity in MCI

Istinye University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Treatments: Behavioral: virtual reality; Behavioral: Conventional treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07005271

24-326

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based hand exercises on cognitive functions and hand skills in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Cognitive functions will be assessed by measuring brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the Stroop test. Additionally, hand functions will be evaluated using the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test, grip strength measurement (via a Jamar dynamometer), and the Duruöz Hand Index. Hand dominance will be determined using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, and sociodemographic data will be collected through a form prepared by the researcher. Based on a G*Power analysis, a total of 30 participants-15 in each group-will be included in the study, with an effect size of 1.00094 and a power of 80%. Evaluations will be conducted twice, before and after the intervention. To avoid participant fatigue, assessments will be divided over two days. The intervention group will receive VR-based hand exercises twice a week for six weeks. These exercises will include activities such as MasterChef (cutting, mixing, and grasping in a virtual kitchen), PinchPeg (placing pegs using pinch grip), HoldAndPut (transporting cups or cans), and bPuzzle (color matching and puzzle completion). The control group will perform traditional exercises twice a week for six weeks, including 30-50 piece puzzle completion, the Nine-Hole Peg Test, shape cutting, and number-color matching tasks. The study will be conducted with volunteer participants at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Darülaceze Directorate, and written and verbal informed consent will be obtained from all participants in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged between 65 and 75 years.
• Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment by the institution's physician during routine examination.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of neurodegenerative diseases affecting cognitive functions.
• Auditory or visual impairments that could interfere with rehabilitation implementation and communication.
• Upper extremity disorders, including severe shoulder, elbow, wrist, or finger impairments, bilateral elbow, hand or wrist fractures, or advanced rheumatoid arthritis.
• Participation in any rehabilitation program during the study period.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

virtual reality

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform hand exercises using virtual reality. They will complete task-oriented hand exercises resembling activities of daily living through the ErgoActive system, which consists of four different games.

Treatment:

Behavioral: virtual reality

Conventional treatment

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform exercises involving hand skills used in daily life. These exercises will be similar to those in the virtual reality group but will be carried out in their real-life form.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Conventional treatment